Tin Pei Ling
Singapore
“This is not about building a talent pipeline and reserve for the land, sea and air transport sectors, but also about helping Singaporeans seize more valuable opportunities. (In English): Mr Speaker, Singapore did not inherit our connectivity. We built it deliberately, chapter by chapter, and this House now holds the pen for the next one.”
“Thank you, Chairman. Two questions. One is that I hear that there will be a review of the COE system later part of this year. I would just like to ask if there is a specific timeline that we can look forward to. Second is on land transport overall. It is on the impact of ageing population and ageing infrastructure.”
“Leveraging frontier technologies – automation, advanced sensors, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) – will keep our infrastructure globally competitive. But we must deploy technology responsibly to augment productivity while managing workforce transitions and reskilling needs.”
“Many thanks to all. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $3,109,174,200 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $13,306,280,300 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“Can the Ministry consider targeted measures, such as rental relief schemes, tenancy support for heritage and neighbourhood retailers, incentives for landlords to prioritise local tenants or co‑investment platforms that enable local businesses to secure long‑term premises?”
“Internationally, we could forge norms that prevent regulatory arbitrage and ensure cross‑border accountability. Hence, building on existing frameworks, what more will the Government do to strengthen Singapore's role in global AI governance, standards, certification, international coordination and capacity building, to preserve human agenc…”
The complete record
Every one of 781 lines we hold for Tin Pei Ling, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 16.
“We had and we will continue to discuss these issues in and out of this House, but I would like to reiterate that today's Motion was deliberately framed to look further out at the strategic long-term question of how Singapore secures our place in the world through global connectivity and logistics, maritime and aviation. The Member would agree that we need these connections for our food, medicine and other essential supplies to enter Singapore, so that Singaporeans can access them easily. Attending to the everyday public transport issues and building for Singapore's global connectivity and future are not competing priorities. Sir, in closing, the big direction remains clear, clearer, in fact, than when we began. We agree that the world has grown more uncertain and that Singapore's independence must be built, not assumed. We agree that technology should make us harder to replace, not just harder to keep pace with. We agree that our infrastructure, physical and digital, poured in concrete and written in code, must be built as one so that it can keep pace with a future that will wait for no one. And we agree that our people must remain at the centre of everything we build. When a House this diverse agrees completely on the big one, that is not a coincidence. It is Singapore's direction spoken with one voice across party lines and with that, thank you all. [Applause.] 6.56 pm”
“On international cooperation and infrastructure, Members return again and again to the idea that our infrastructure is only as valuable as the trust the world places in it, whether framed through ASEAN chairmanship priorities, regional connectivity with Johor and the Riau Islands or Singapore's role in shaping international rules, rather than merely following them. I am also encouraged that there was support from some Members from both sides to export Singapore innovations and systems to other countries. Doing so would help set new standards and drive interoperability to drive greater flows of goods, people, information and value seamlessly, yet also strengthen Singapore's standing in the region and in the world. We are, in essence, exporting the Singapore model, our special brand of trust. And on our people, nearly every speaker insisted that none of this matters unless it translates into good, better and more inclusive jobs for Singaporean workers with real training pathways and real protection for those whose roles will change. Our tripartite model must therefore continue to prevail. So, yes, we need to embrace technology, but we must not vibe code the humans out of a job. Rather to make sure that every job that we redesign or create beat to the rhythm of real heart beats. One Member, hon Mr Fadli Fawzi, had understandably raised his concerns about day-to-day public transport matters. These issues matter to Singaporeans' daily lives. As mentioned in my opening, day-to-day land transport issues remain important and a priority to the transport GPC and indeed, for the entire Government.”
“I am heartened, therefore, that we have such a robust debate on this Motion today and most of all, I am heartened by the support from both sides of this House that the transport GPC has put forth. The big direction is clear. We all want to do good for Singaporeans, creating good job opportunities for them by advancing Singapore's long-term economic interest. And we all agree that Singapore, being a global logistics, maritime and aviation hub, is key to that goal. Across this debate, several threads ran consistently through nearly every speech, regardless of who from which party was speaking. Members agreed that we are facing an increasingly turbulent world and geopolitics. That shared recognition makes the rule of law and our ability to work closely with one another all the more important. I am heartened in this regard by hon Member from the WP, Ms He Ting Ru's point that Singapore should not be an instrument of other countries' strategic goals. I agree, and this is why this Motion matters. When Singapore builds strong capabilities of our own, when we have options to who we connect with and when we deepen international cooperation so that other countries come to share a genuine stake in our shared success, Singapore will be able to assert our independence with confidence. We do not stay independent by standing alone. We stay independent by standing strong enough so that no one else's strategy needs to become ours. On frontier technology, Members spoke of AI, AVs, digital twins and smart hubs. From my GPC colleagues' proposals on AI orchestration and autonomous systems to other Members' calls for Singapore to lead in electric aviation and green shipping technology, technology must be a tool that makes Singapore harder to replace, not just harder to keep up with.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it has been my great privilege to move this debate on how we can reinforce Singapore's position as a globally connected aviation, maritime and logistics hub so as to strengthen Singapore's long-term economic competitiveness and ultimately, create and anchor good jobs in Singapore. My transport GPC colleagues, Mr Edward Chia, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Ms Poh Li San, Mr Jackson Lam, Mr Liang Eng Wah, Mr Ang Wei Neng and Mr Sharael Taha, have taken turns to explain the different tenets of the Motion statement and together with other hon Members of this House, including Dr Choo Pei Ling, Ms Gho Sze Kee, Ms Lee Hui Ying, Ms Valerie Lee, Mr Yip Hon Weng, Dr Wan Rizal, Mr Lee Hong Chuang and Dr Hamid Razak, put forth many thoughtful recommendations for the Government's consideration. Many thanks to my PAP Parliamentary colleagues for working on this debate and for making these recommendations. I also sincerely appreciate the interest and support from the WP – Mr Dennis Tan, Ms He Ting Ru, Mr Fadli Fawzi, Mr Kenneth Tiong, Mr Gerald Giam and Assoc Prof Jamus Lim – as well as Nominated MPs, Mr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari and Dr Neo Kok Beng. I hope I did not miss anyone. I am also especially appreciative of the receptiveness and positive responses from Minister Jeffrey Siow, Senior Minister of State Sun Xueling and Minister of State Baey Yam Keng. Thank you for listening to us. We are very excited that some of our suggestions will be accepted by the Ministry and we are also very heartened by the efforts made past and present. Past Sittings have seen colleagues from both sides of the aisle raising questions and putting forth suggestions on issues pertaining to Singapore's logistics, maritime and aviation sectors.”
“This is not about building a talent pipeline and reserve for the land, sea and air transport sectors, but also about helping Singaporeans seize more valuable opportunities. (In English): Mr Speaker, Singapore did not inherit our connectivity. We built it deliberately, chapter by chapter, and this House now holds the pen for the next one. Frontier technology, international cooperation and world-class hybrid infrastructure are the critical success factors that will cement Singapore's position as a global logistics, maritime and aviation hub and in turn determine whether we sustain our economic competitiveness and create good jobs for Singaporeans. I beg to move. [Applause.] [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“It gave rise to celebrated cities, such as Yangzhou, Huai'an, Jining and Linqing. In short, once a unified state removes the barriers between the passes and bridges, merchants and travellers can then move freely, and cities flourished as a result. Global connectivity is a matter of survival and development for Singapore. We now live in an era of profound geopolitical uncertainty. Ensuring multi-route, multi-modal connectivity has never been so important. As a small nation lacking in natural resources, having robust and diversified channels of global connectivity is key to maintaining our national resilience. Today, Singapore has much to be proud of in international cooperation, the adoption of new technologies and building of high-quality infrastructure. But we must look to redouble our efforts. Singapore needs to deepen cooperation with ASEAN member states, learning from our partners' strength and complementing one another. We need to build stronger physically and digitally integrated infrastructure that can operate under unified systems and standards without compromising national sovereignty and security. We need to increase investment in the application of AI in transport as well as AI governance research. Embracing these frontier technologies can also help us simulate better scenarios so that we can be better prepared to meet challenges and improve precision and foresight and therefore, enhance our efficiency and productivity. At the same time, we must be vigilant and do not displace our people in pursuit of economic gain because at the end of the day, all these efforts are meant to improve the lives of our people. We must therefore invest more in helping those already in the workforce to reskill or to pivot and be more deliberate in training our youth.”
“] Mr Speaker, the Motion that we debate today seeks to explore how Singapore can consolidate its position as a globally connected aviation, maritime and logistics hub through international cooperation, frontier technologies and the building of world-class infrastructure, thereby strengthening our long-term economic competitiveness and creating more and better jobs for Singaporeans. In the face of a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape and the disruption brought by emerging technologies, Singapore must rethink how to maintain the deep connectivity with the world. This Motion seeks to examine transport across all three domains – the land, sea and air – through a strategic lens. There is this ancient saying, "As a mirror, history can show you the rise and fall of dynasties." Throughout history, there is no shortage of examples of cities and states that grew prosperous through connectivity. For example, in Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian: Account of the Moneymakers, he explicitly identified cities, such as Linzi, Handan, Wan, Luoyang and Han, as "great metropolises" and pointed out that the root of their wealth lies precisely in their position as transport hubs. Handan, connected northwards to Yan and Zhuo cities and southwards to Zheng and Wei cities. Linzi was a great metropolis between the sea and mountains; and Luoyang traded eastwards with Qi and Lu and southwards with Liang and Chu cities. He further explained that when the Han dynasty unified the realm, it opened the passes and bridges and lifted restrictions on mountains and marshes. Thus, wealthy merchants and great traders circulated throughout the land and there was nothing that could not be traded. The Grand Canal also offered another good example.”
“When Anthropic introduced a new feature called "skills" for its Claude AI in October 2025, it let AI follow specialised, step-by-step instructions for particular tasks, instead of figuring things out from scratch each time. It sounds like a small change, but it meant these tools could suddenly be trusted to handle more complex work on their own. If our curriculum cannot keep pace with shifts like this, our workers risk being trained for yesterday's technology. A related feedback from our GPC Resource Panel was the need for competency frameworks and curriculum to be reviewed and refreshed regularly, and to do so without being weighed down by conventional approval processes that could take up to a year. By the time such approval comes through, the technology will already have moved on. Much good work has already been done in manpower development. But in light of these broader trends, I call on the Government to consider: Firstly, expand existing career conversion and transition programmes as well as other SkillsFuture programmes to include updated and specialised tracks that meet the demands of future transport so that mid-career workers get real support to transition. Second, strengthen public-private partnerships with our institutes of higher learning (IHLs), so that the curriculum stays fit-for-market in the logistics, maritime and aviation domains and explore how these curricula can be kept alive to the latest technological and industrial developments, rather than fixed at the point of approval. Third, engaging students earlier, so they are equipped with the right information before they enter our IHLs and choose their course or specialisation. Mr Speaker, allow me to now speak in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“As Tuas Port scales up with automated cranes, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and remote-controlled operations, PSA has been explicit that this shift is meant to free up resources while creating more higher-value jobs for Singaporeans – in remote port operations, systems monitoring and control centre management, moving away from manual yard work. As public and private maritime investment grows, we should also expect real demand for Singaporean talent in maritime R&D, data science and technology commercialisation. The scaling of AI points to a new generation of maritime careers – higher-skilled, better-paid and built around the very technologies reshaping this industry globally. But for this to succeed, we must equip and support current and future workers in land, sea and air transport with the right skills and training. One of the feedback from our GPC Resource Panel members was that there are insufficient workers technically trained for the new technologies now being deployed. AVs and smart equipment, for instance, often run on proprietary software or contain parts requiring specialised handling. So, the job opportunities are there but our workers need to be trained to take them up. We must also do more to attract Singaporeans into these careers – raising awareness in schools and building meaningful career pathways. Private sector players need to work more closely with our schools to ensure skills match market demand, and schools need to adapt their curriculum with agility to keep pace with technological change. AI is a good example of just how fast that pace can be – new models emerge within months and entire capabilities can shift direction just as quickly.”
“The ASEAN Power Grid is a good example of a regional initiative that optimises the matching of green energy supply and demand across the region, but it carries risks that we must be prepared for. Let me share one example and here, I declare my interest here as co-president of a group that includes a deep-tech company developing next-generation energy systems. Cambodia and Indonesia have abundant green energy – solar and hydro. But transporting that energy to Singapore through conventional undersea cables, which was the best option we had, leaves us exposed to extrinsic risks, such as possible regional conflict and maritime accidents. No legal agreement can fully guard against those risks. We must therefore also develop alternative means of transporting energy, such as shipping energy in the form of hydrogen stored in solid-state containers so as to ensure our resilience is not dependent on a single physical link. As I said at the outset, all of these efforts to strengthen Singapore's global connectivity in logistics, maritime and aviation exist to secure our long-term economic competitiveness, which, ultimately, is about creating good opportunities for Singaporeans. It has to be. My colleague Ms Yeo Wan Ling will speak more on this. The development of these domains must therefore translate into higher-value jobs that Singaporeans can take up competently and confidently. Take our maritime sector as an example. It employs around 170,000 people today and is entering a new phase where automation and AI are not eliminating jobs so much as elevating them.”
“Beyond hybrid infrastructure within our own borders, we should also look beyond Singapore's immediate geographical bounds, extending our hub function into complementary cities and ports across the ASEAN region, to cope with overflow demand while keeping the highest-margin activities here at home. The Singapore-Johor-Riau Islands (SIJORI) approach has served us well and continues to be upgraded today. Building on this, the same model could arguably extend to other parts of the region. Though we will need to carefully consider what stays in Singapore and what is better sited elsewhere, so that the arrangement remains mutually beneficial. My colleague Mr Liang Eng Hwa will speak more about building infrastructure to support the electrification and digitalisation of land transport and to connect Singapore and Malaysia. Onto a note on sustainability. As we pursue all of the above, we should expect increased flows of goods and people, even as we must meet our green commitments to decarbonise. The topic on sustainability must thus be considered. My colleague Ms Poh Li San will be speaking more on sustainability and specifically about positioning Singapore as an "International Green Air Hub". Singapore has made admirable progress on sustainable aviation fuel. But more can be done to diversify both the sources of our transport fuels and the routes through which we import them. Diversifying the sources of green fuel is a matter for our overall trade and energy strategy, and not one for this debate. But transport is directly relevant, because we must find ways to secure the transport of green energy itself to power Singapore's transport sector and indeed, every other national need. Transport must be part of our national resilience strategy.”
“For this integration to succeed safely, particularly with AI agents as a possible future feature, we need robust governance, including sovereign data governance, AI governance and certification standards for autonomous decision-making, developed in step with the technology and in context of transport. My colleague Mr Sharael Taha will speak more on international leadership and standards setting and Singapore as an orchestrator in ASEAN. I move on to infrastructure. Given everything I have said so far, it is clear that infrastructure today cannot be purely physical, nor purely digital. We need hybrid infrastructure that integrates digital capability directly into the physical build. Tuas Port and Changi Terminal 5 (T5) are the clearest examples of this – both designed with automation and data systems built into the "concrete" from the outset. New projects will, of course, be hybrid by design. But we must also upgrade our existing infrastructure, so that both old and new hard infrastructure can collect data to enable real-time prediction and intervention, so that the digital twins we rely on are not limited to historical data, but stay live to dynamic, real-world conditions as they happen. From optimising berthing and warehouse capacity, to developing a "digital freight corridor" linking port, airport and warehousing with shared real-time visibility as AVs move cargo from port to destination, these outcomes are only achievable if our physical infrastructure can keep pace with the software and AI agents running on top of it. Here, my question is: what more will MOT do to upgrade or build future-ready hybrid infrastructure so that Singapore is well placed to continue being a global hub?”
“But this is continuous work, especially as we digitalise: data standards, secure cross-border data governance; bridging the uneven maturity of digital trade documents, such as the bill of lading; and cyber incident reporting specific to transport – are examples to name a few. As the world risks fragmenting further, with the United States (US) pulling back from multilateral engagement, there is a renewed and urgent imperative for Singapore, alongside other smaller states, to stand together to uphold the rule of law. This demands skilled statecraft and sustained effort to engage and negotiate. But closer to home, we must also ensure our ties and agreements with our neighbours remain strong. Because as a regional bloc, we carry far greater global weight together than any of us do alone. Singapore must continue to take the lead in pushing for this. Here, I call on the Ministry to consider: First, pushing harder for international cooperation, especially within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As Singapore assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship next year, how will the Government ensure that land, sea and air connectivity within the region is a priority on the agenda? What can this House expect to see tabled at the regional meetings? Second, build an ASEAN digital backbone for transport, an ASEAN data lake house that allows verifiable data to be accessed securely and a shared regional infrastructure layer for cross-border, cross-domain orchestration and innovation. Third, putting governance first.”
“Fifth, keeping humans in the loop. Finally, with AI and AVs, we must be clear-eyed that technology is meant to enable and improve lives, not to replace people. This means deliberate effort to preserve human oversight and to create meaningful jobs for our people – a point that I will return to later. My colleague Mr Edward Chia will speak more on the use of AI in the region and corresponding support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Likewise, Mr Jackson Lam will speak more on building the smartest integrated hub leveraging the technology and Mr Ang Wei Neng will speak on the deployment of AVs in transport. I now move on to international cooperation. Global connectivity is only possible if other countries are willing to interact and operate under the same rules and standards, or at least a common understanding. This is what instils confidence and delivers efficiency. Common standards enable interoperability and interoperability delivers efficiency. But a ship, an aircraft or a container only benefits from Singapore's efficiency if the country on the other end recognises our clearances, honours the same safety standards and trusts that any dispute arising here will be resolved fairly. On this front, MOT has served Singapore excellently, playing an influential role and negotiating favourable terms at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); at International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and other platforms. Many agreements and technical standards covering safety and operations are already in place.”
“This means greater investment in funding and in expertise, with transport innovation established as a key pillar of our national strategy. Given our hub status, and with the right infrastructure and governance, we can build rich, live datasets and applications that generate innovative transport solutions. These solutions will not only benefit Singapore's own growth; they can be exported to other countries, enhancing interoperability, because if our partners adopt them, we are, in effect, operating on the same system and the same standards. Second, deepen our digital twins. As we build higher-quality data and stronger digital twin systems for our ports, airports and logistics network, disruptions such as storms, cyberattacks, geopolitical chokepoint closures can be simulated and rerouted close to real time rather than leaving us on the back foot when they hit. Third, work towards one Singapore transport twin. Today, our AI gains sit largely within single domains – land, sea or air – operating on their own. What would be transformative is linking the Maritime Digital Twin, an airport twin and a land network twin into one system, using AI to orchestrate genuinely intermodal decisions. Fourth, prepare, but carefully, for agentic AI. This integration raises the potential for agentic AI – autonomous agents that orchestrate and make decisions on their own. This is likely still some way off, as agentic governance has not been fully worked through. The good news is that Singapore has already introduced version 1.5 of the Model Governance Framework for Agentic AI, a world first and a strong start. But more research and experimentation are needed before we can confidently deploy such agents in transport, where the consequences of error carry real physical risk.”
“AI's biggest contribution is not automating individual vehicles or terminals in isolation, it is making the whole system – port, airport, roads, warehouses, customs – all behaving as one coordinated network instead of separate silos. Initiatives such as OCEANS-X and the Maritime Digital Twin are strong building blocks toward this vision. OCEANS-X enables system-to-system connectivity between maritime companies and government agencies, with digital port clearance as an initial service. The Maritime Digital Twin combines real-time and historical port data with simulation and modelling tools, giving agencies, industry and researchers a shared environment to test what-if scenarios and de-risk decisions before they happen at sea. This includes using AI to calculate tighter vessel-berthing configurations so that more ships can park safely within the same limited space. On autonomous vehicles (AVs), AVs are the physical execution layer for AI orchestration. Together, this combination lets Singapore compress turnaround times and run operations 24/7, increasing our ports' effective capacity without expanding their footprint. Today, AV adoption is most advanced at Tuas Port and in our maritime domain. As we scale our experience with AI and AVs there, we should also extend this cautiously to other domains to complement existing services and fill gaps. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has made commendable progress in meaningfully deploying frontier technologies. But more can be done to harness this power and extend Singapore's advantage. I therefore call on the Ministry to consider: Number one, beef up on research and development (R&D) into AI applications and AI governance across land, sea and air transport.”
“US tariffs disrupted our export-oriented economy as multinational corporations (MNCs) reconfigured their supply chains. And most recently, the conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz triggered energy price spikes, regional port congestion and inflated marine insurance costs. Singapore needs options to stay connected, to keep goods and people flowing in and out, whatever the disruption. Ironically, the recent geopolitical situation along the Strait of Hormuz has also increased global reliance on the Strait of Malacca, where we are strategically situated. This represents both opportunity and risk for us. We must have the capacity and the capability to handle the rising flows, or we risk chokepoints and losing trade to other ports. This means working more closely with neighbours in the region so that we can manage trade volume and storage demands together and achieve a win-win outcome for all. Singapore's transport system must be adaptive and responsive. The strategy for Singapore's long-term economic competitiveness is multimodal global connectivity. The critical success factors for achieving it are three: frontier technologies, international cooperation and world-class infrastructure. Together, they serve one ultimate goal – generating and anchoring meaningful jobs for Singaporeans to take up and grow in. Let me address each in turn. First, on frontier technologies. As the world digitalises and frontier technologies scale, Singapore cannot afford to lag in adoption. At its core, leveraging frontier technology is about orchestration, predictability and efficiency. On artificial intelligence (AI). Singapore's advantage was never just scale. It is about throughput, reliability and orchestration across a small, dense node sitting on major trade lanes.”
“A fishing village became a global hub by treating each mode of connectivity as a building block for the next. Singapore is the clearest demonstration of all three modes working together across two centuries. It began with sea connectivity. We became a free port, and our population grew from a thousand in 1819 to more than 10,000 in 1825, with trade volume reaching $22 million. By the 1830s, Singapore overtook Batavia as the centre of regional trade, linking the Chinese, Southeast Asian and European-Indian Ocean trading networks. One decision to be a free port turned a fishing settlement into a regional emporium within a generation. Singapore then turned to the air. By 1980, Paya Lebar Airport was handling over seven million passengers a year, far beyond what the site could accommodate. The Government built Changi, which opened in 1981 and in its first year handled 12.1 million passengers and close to 200,000 tonnes of air freight. Today, it connects over 170 cities, anchoring Singapore's position as a logistics and business hub entirely disproportionate to our size. Why this matters now? Global connectivity is existential for Singapore. Ensuring multi-route and multi-modal connectivity matters more than ever in today's uncertain geopolitical climate. Because in an uncertain world, resilience is not measured by size, it is measured by how many ways we have to get through. Thus, a small country like ours need to have strong, multiple connections as the foundation of our national resilience. Global geopolitical shocks have always had an impact on Singapore, but increasingly so. The Russia-Ukraine war caused supply chain disruption, energy crunch and inflation.”
“A number were raised during the Land Transport Bill in February this year and I expect further Sittings later this year will address them too. I therefore urge honourable colleagues to focus this debate on what is set out in today's Motion. For this Motion, I will begin by setting the context and putting forth a few recommendations. My GPC colleagues will in turn address the different tenets of the statement in greater detail. And I welcome more perspectives and ideas from other honorable colleagues speaking today. I would also like to take this chance to thank our Transport GPC resource panel, who took time to share their experiences and suggestions, which offered us different perspectives to consider when preparing for this debate. Connectivity as destiny. History offers no clearer proof of transport infrastructure as destiny than the railway age. Albuquerque in New Mexico is a good example. In 1880, the first train pulled in, connecting the town to major cities and trade networks, bringing a wave of opportunities that transformed it almost overnight. Around the new station, hotels, cafes, warehouses and small factories flourished, creating opportunities for workers and entrepreneurs alike. At sea and in the air, Dubai tells the same story. Jebel Ali Port, built in the 1970s to serve a modest emirate, became the gravitational centre that pulled in manufacturing, logistics, finance and tourism. That maritime foundation then enabled something larger: today, Jebel Ali Port, its adjacent free zone, and Al Maktoum Airport together form the Dubai Logistics Corridor, linking sea, land and air across 200 square kilometres, connecting more than 6,500 companies with a 30-minute link between port and airport.”
“Mr Speaker, I move*, "That this House affirms the importance of strengthening Singapore's long-term economic competitiveness by leveraging international cooperation, frontier technologies and world-class infrastructure to reinforce Singapore's position as a globally connected aviation, maritime and logistics hub, and to anchor good jobs in Singapore." [(proc text) *The Motion was also entered on the Order Paper under the names of Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui, Mr Jackson Lam, Ms Poh Li San and Ms Yeo Wan Ling. (proc text)] The Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport, comprising me as the Chairperson and fellow People's Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament (MPs) Mr Edward Chia, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Ms Poh Li Sah, Mr Jackson Lam, whose names are set down on the Order Paper, as well as Mr Liang Eng Hwa, Mr Ang Wei Neng and Mr Sharael Taha, is moving this Motion as Singapore is compelled to rethink how we remain globally connected as we confront an ever-dynamic geopolitical environment and emerging technological game changers. This Motion is future-facing and strategic, because transport is about connectivity across three domains – land, sea and air – and connectivity enables economic prosperity that ultimately is about improving lives. Day-to-day land transport issues remain important and a priority to the Transport GPC. But they are not the focus of today's debate. To be clear, the GPC firmly recognises that day-to-day public transport issues affect Singaporeans' everyday lives and their importance cannot be understated. But we have discussed these issues many times in and out of this House, and will continue to have ample opportunities to do so.”
“Many thanks to all. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $3,109,174,200 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $13,306,280,300 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“Thank you, Chairman. Two questions. One is that I hear that there will be a review of the COE system later part of this year. I would just like to ask if there is a specific timeline that we can look forward to. Second is on land transport overall. It is on the impact of ageing population and ageing infrastructure. With an ageing population, of course, there will be more needs. More covered walkways, and covered walkways, if they are a bit lengthy, they may need benches along the way, lifts at overhead bridges, so on and so forth. There will be more demand of such to be built. On ageing infrastructure, over time, obviously, you need maintenance, if not a refresh or rebuilding of these. These will add cost. So, I would like to understand whether it is possible to give us a sense of how such costs may increase over time, both the construction and lifetime maintenance, and whether it is feasibly sustainable over the longer run. If yes or no, how are we going to manage this?”
“Technology effectively deployed to enhance commuter experience and demand management tools designed to reflect changing mobility patterns.”
“In support of greener, smarter mobility, what is MOT doing to boost the capacity, availability and reliability of supporting infrastructure, ranging from EV charging networks, grid readiness, interoperable payment and telematics standards, and AV‑ready roadside systems? How is MOT coordinating with other agencies and industry to ensure sufficient power, standards for fast charging, and effective communications to support mass EV and AV adoption? As more technology is deployed, the transformation of land transport is something to look forward to. As sensors and connected systems, including increasingly intelligent EVs and AVs, share real time data, smart road and traffic management becomes feasible, enabling tighter coordination and more accurate traffic prediction. This should deliver smoother, more predictable journeys and materially improve the road user experience. On that note, an extensive deployment of AVs could significantly change vehicle population and ownership patterns. If AV fleets increase shared mobility and ride‑pooling, we may see pressure to reduce private car use. Conversely, easier door‑to‑door transport could increase vehicle kilometres travelled. The Certificate of Entitlement (COE) is a critical policy lever used to manage car population and road demand. How does MOT anticipate AV adoption affect the medium‑ to long‑term design of the COE system and other ownership controls? Are there plans to recalibrate demand management, for example, differentiated measures for shared AV fleets versus privately owned vehicles? I look forward to a land transport that anticipates future demands and is user centric. One with flexible infrastructure that can adapt to uncertainty.”
“Land transport touches every Singaporean's daily life. It shapes how we work, learn, care for family and participate in our community. Over the years, our land transport system has become markedly more efficient, reliable and more integrated. Heavy investment in public transport – expanding the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network, modernising trains and signalling, upgrading bus fleets and developing integrated transport hubs just to name a few – has boosted capacity and improved connectivity. These upgrades have made multimodal journeys smoother and helped shift commuters towards public and active modes. Looking ahead, technology advancement, demographic change and evolving lifestyles mean our land transport must continue to adapt. Regardless of on foot or on wheels, commuters expect more choice, faster first‑mile and last‑mile connections, and a system that is safe, inclusive and resilient. Hence, I would like to ask what concrete plans is MOT implementing to build a more reliable, user-centric, inclusive and safer land transport system that meets these changing commuter needs? Specifically, what measures will be introduced or scaled up to expand first‑ and last‑mile options? Infrastructure also ages. Renewal and expansion therefore go hand in hand. How is MOT balancing the urgent task of refreshing ageing assets, while delivering new lines and capacity? What governance and funding approaches are in place to ensure upgrades are timely, cost‑effective and minimise commuter disruption during works? Technology will reshape transport operations and service delivery. One certainty is a rise in electric vehicles (EVs) as we decarbonise; another is growing trials and deployments of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs).”
“Leveraging frontier technologies – automation, advanced sensors, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) – will keep our infrastructure globally competitive. But we must deploy technology responsibly to augment productivity while managing workforce transitions and reskilling needs. Hence, we must actively contemplate how technology should be leveraged to advance Singapore's connectivity and economic advantage. To this end, the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport plans to move a substantive Motion later this year, likely in July. In closing, global connectivity is a strategic choice that must be actively maintained, future‑proofed and made inclusive. We should build fast enough and well enough to capture value, but also flexible enough to anticipate any macro-shocks. At the same time, we must also always be prudent to adapt and protect public interest. Chairman, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“How confident are we that T5, Tuas Port and other major projects are being built to meet lasting real demand? What assurance do we have that these assets will remain relevant to the region and the world by the time construction completes? And what mechanisms are in place to adjust project pace, scope and costs as global macro conditions evolve, so as to minimise fiscal and strategic risk? Can we stage or modularise delivery so that we can accelerate to capture upside, or slow and recalibrate to limit downside? What contingencies are in place to manage cost escalation and preserve value for taxpayers? Third, timing and capability. Can the Ministry update the House on the current status of T5 and the Tuas port development? Are we on track to capture near‑term opportunities, and where feasible, can delivery be accelerated without compromising quality, safety or long‑term flexibility? Turning to our maritime sector specifically, capacity and connectivity, measured in twenty-foot equivalents (TEUs) and port calls, are critical determinants of competitiveness. When Tuas is completed, how will it materially boost Singapore's throughput, connectivity and service propositions? What economic impact does the Ministry project in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) contribution, value‑added services and the types of jobs and livelihoods it can create for Singaporeans? In anticipation of these opportunities, what targeted programmes will be in place to cultivate and sustain a pipeline of maritime talent? We must also prepare our infrastructure for the digital age. The Next‑Generation Port at Tuas is a good example.”
“Chairman, I move, “That the total sum allocated to Head W of the Estimates be reduced by $100”. Our connection to the world is imperative to our nation's relevance and economic vibrancy. As a small, open city‑state, Singapore's prosperity rests on strong links to other countries and global hubs. To sustain that advantage, we must maintain state‑of‑the‑art air, sea and land nodes with the capacity and flexibility to handle current needs and future demand. To that end, Singapore is making significant, long‑term investments, as we have observed in Budgets past and present. In terms of hard infrastructure, a colossal Terminal 5 (T5) is being built, larger than several of our existing terminals combined and the Tuas Mega Port is expanding in phases, with full completion expected in the 2040s. These projects are designed to position Singapore as a continuing nexus for people, goods and information flows. If delivered well, these projects will help Singapore attract capital, talent and advanced technology. More importantly, create new opportunities for our businesses and generate good jobs for Singaporeans. Improving lives must remain the ultimate objective of these investments. Yet, we must also recognise these are multi-decade projects, consuming substantial public resources. They were planned in a different global environment that has become more volatile and uncertain. Recent years have seen abrupt tariff barriers, supply chain restructuring and "hot wars" that disrupted energy and critical material supplies. Such shocks can re‑route trade and people flows, sometimes rapidly. Singapore will not be insulated from these shifts. Therefore, I have the following questions to raise. 3.45 pm First, demand and relevance.”
“Internationally, we could forge norms that prevent regulatory arbitrage and ensure cross‑border accountability. Hence, building on existing frameworks, what more will the Government do to strengthen Singapore's role in global AI governance, standards, certification, international coordination and capacity building, to preserve human agency while responsibly constraining AI agency?”
“Third, will the Government equip our Public Service Media and our public agencies with advanced tools, including responsibly governed AI to detect, attribute and counter disinformation? Put simply, can we use AI to fight AI, with safeguards to avoid overreach, bias or erosion of privacy? Finally, beyond Public Service Media, what broader investments in public digital literacy, rapid-response verification labs and partnerships with platforms and civil society will the Government make to build societal resilience to AI‑driven misinformation? In an age when technology amplifies both benefit and risk, we must ensure our public information architecture is robust, trusted and adaptive. AI Governance and Agency As Singapore embraces AI as a strategic necessity for our development, we must protect the long‑term interests of our people even as we harness its power. Much of the public conversation today veers toward doom‑laden predictions of AI "taking over" jobs and society. That narrative overlooks something fundamental. We can and must retain human agency. We can choose how AI is designed, governed and deployed. That choice demands strong national leadership to chart practical governance pathways and sustained international cooperation to agree what ought not to be delegated to machines. Singapore has led with the Model AI Governance Framework of January 2019, a world first, and followed up with work on Generative and Agentic AI. These are important foundations. But leadership must translate into concrete action. Interoperable standards and certification, robust procurement and audit requirements, independent oversight and investments in public literacy and workforce reskilling so that citizens can exercise meaningful agency.”
“Chairman, we are an open society, physically and virtually. Information pours in from every direction and discerning truth has never been harder. This problem is now amplified by AI. Most recently, many of us would have read about the fake reports online claiming that Senior Minister Lee publicly disagreed with Prime Minister Wong. A resident of mine whom I met during a block visit in January believed the story so wholeheartedly that I found it hard to dissuade him. Incidents like this do not merely misinform. They corrode mutual trust, weaken social cohesion and create fertile ground for scams. AI worsens the threat because it can generate convincing content at scale, iterate rapidly and be used to probe and undermine our critical information infrastructure. Our Public Service Media plays a central role in preserving factual public discourse and remains the go-to source of truth for important issues by our citizens. Therefore, I have a few questions. First, how will the Government support and strengthen our Public Service Media so it can more effectively in countering fake news and misinformation in an increasingly noisy information environment? This means funding, talent development, editorial independence and technical capability to verify rapidly and at scale. Second, what concrete steps will be taken to ensure Public Service Media content remains high quality and highly accessible, across languages, platforms and demographics, so that credible information reaches every community before falsehoods do? Likewise, how will we ensure genuine and verified Singapore narratives reach international audiences, both to protect our reputation from falsehoods and to project our voice on matters of global significance?”
“Chairman, I would like to ask the Minster Tan. I am glad to hear that there are plans to see how we can utilise more of the alternative sources for energy, hydrogen being one of them. So, I would like to understand whether Singapore is looking at positioning ourselves early, to shape the regional hydrogen energy supply chain instead of just following others, but to take the lead in this. If so, how? And also, as we look at overall energy, security and sustainability, what might be in place to support firms and startups, whether locally in Singapore, or to attract them to Singapore, to deepen their R&D in this area, and eventually towards commercialising the deployment of such energy, especially hydrogen, so that we can move towards that secure, sustainable and hopefully, affordable energy vision. Last clarification is that we talk about affordability. As we digitalise, as we double down on the AI, consumption will definitely increase and also, as we import more of these energy into Singapore, there could be cost associated with this. How do we mitigate or prevent such cost being passed on to local businesses and Singaporeans households so that it remains highly accessible and affordable to them? 3.00 pm”
“With rising demand for computing power and data centres, how is MTI working with local and international partners to ensure sufficient, sustainable power supply while promoting energy efficient digital infrastructure? Third, on hydrogen. Hydrogen is promising for low carbon power and for hard to abate sectors, such as maritime and petrochemicals. But costs and supply chains remain challenging. When does the Ministry assess hydrogen to be commercially viable at scale for Singapore? How are we positioning ourselves early enough to shape, rather than follow, regional hydrogen supply chains? What support is being offered to firms and startups to deepen R&D and commercialise hydrogen technologies in Singapore? Fourth, on carbon pricing and competitiveness. Singapore's carbon tax is expected to rise to signal decarbonisation. How does MTI balance competitiveness for trade exposed sectors with the need for credible carbon pricing? Are there plans to deepen international carbon market linkages or other measures to manage domestic cost pressures? Fifth, on impact on Singaporeans and companies. How will the Ministry ensure households and businesses continue to access reliable energy at affordable prices during this transition? Energy policy today is not just about keeping the lights on. It is about resilience in a fractured world and competitiveness in a low-carbon economy. Strengthening Energy Resilience”
“Chairman, secure energy and we secure our destiny. Beyond meeting Singapore's basic needs, our energy demand will rise as we digitalise and double down on AI. Singapore's energy strategy has always been shaped by three structural realities: we have no natural resources, we face land constraints and we depend almost entirely on imported energy. These constraints constantly force us to balance the energy trilemma – security, sustainability and affordability. Today, natural gas supplies roughly 95% of our electricity. It remains our most viable transition fuel, reliable and relatively lower in emissions. We have diversified supplies through pipeline gas and LNG imports and invested in critical infrastructure, such as our LNG terminal. At the same time, we are accelerating decarbonisation. I welcome continued efforts to maximise solar deployment on rooftops and reservoirs, pilot regional electricity imports under the ASEAN Power Grid initiative and study hydrogen as a potential long‑term option. These are necessary steps. Yet, our strategy must continue to evolve in the face of rising geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain fragmentation and intensifying climate pressures. The latest conflict involving Israel, US and Iran is a stark example. Disruptions to key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz where a large portion of LNG passes could send energy prices soaring. I therefore pose several questions to the Ministry. First, on energy security. As we deepen regional electricity imports, how is MTI assessing geopolitical concentration and supply risk? What plans are in place to diversify sources and build redundancy into our long-term energy import strategy? Second, on supporting our national AI push.”
“Can the Ministry consider targeted measures, such as rental relief schemes, tenancy support for heritage and neighbourhood retailers, incentives for landlords to prioritise local tenants or co‑investment platforms that enable local businesses to secure long‑term premises? Finally, SMEs need help managing rising costs and reaching beyond our shores. Will MTI expand programmes to help these SMEs further optimise costs in areas, such as group procurement, energy efficiency grants, shared services, market access and trade facilitation? International Trade”
“Chairman, Singapore SMEs face distinct challenges alongside day‑to‑day operational constraints and pressures to transform, they must internationalise because our domestic market is limited. Rental and manpower are among their largest cost components. Compliance burden is also a concern, and I had raised this in my cut to MOF last week. Beyond general labour shortages, firms increasingly need digitally skilled talent who can deploy AI to raise productivity, automate routine tasks and scale operations. They also require coherent enterprise‑level AI strategies and rapid transformation to stay competitive in this AI era. The measures in Budget 2026 are therefore welcome. I just have one question on this particular point. Learning from past experiences administering grants and credits, how will the Government ensure that financial support and eligibility criteria for tax deductions are precisely targeted, so that funds are spent effectively to create the intended impact. In Chinese, “钱用在刀口上”. On rentals, there had been speculations that foreign capital inflows are pushing up commercial rents and crowding out local operators. Notably, based on the Parliamentary reply by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in January 2026, China is the second largest owner of retail businesses in Singapore. Even though Chinese owners account for only 3% of retail businesses, the perception of displacement cannot be ignored, and this can affect community sentiment and our unique Singapore “personality”. What steps will MTI take to ensure local SMEs remain the anchor in Singapore?”
“Singapore SMEs are particularly vulnerable. With a limited domestic market, they must internationalise. Cross‑border frictions, however, add to their cost pressures and constrain their ability to scale. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Single Window was thus welcomed. It enables secure electronic exchange of trade documents, speeds up cross‑border clearance and supports deeper economic integration. Hence, could the Government set out what more will be done to expand cross‑border trade and reduce friction through the ASEAN Single Window?”
“Thank you, Chairman. Regulations set clear boundaries for businesses. They protect consumers, deter unfair and illicit practices and support healthy industry development. But compliance carries costs. In Singapore, our strong regulatory framework upholds integrity, safety and fair markets, yet compliance also imposes direct expenses, administrative burdens and slower decision cycles. For instance, complex or changing regulations often force companies to recruit additional compliance specialists, roles that can be hard to fill, raising recruitment and headcount costs while still leaving compliance challenges unresolved. These reduce operational flexibility and lengthen wait times. Smaller firms and fast‑moving businesses are hit the hardest. At a time when companies are already squeezed by rising costs and fierce competition, streamlining regulatory requirements would materially ease these burdens. I therefore ask whether the Government will undertake a review of rules across industries and verticals to identify opportunities to increase operational flexibility and shorten processing times for regulatory outcomes. Reduce Cross Border Trade Friction Businesses face real hurdles in cross‑border trade – divergent rules and standards across countries, cumbersome paperwork, limited access to trade finance, fragmented and inefficient payment systems and incompatible data standards and systems. These frictions are amplified by a volatile geopolitical environment – unilateral measures, such as the sudden US tariff changes are a stark example. Time is money. Firms need swift movement of goods and settlement of payments. They cannot afford to be hit by unexpected sudden policy changes or tariff shocks while their cargo or cash is in transit.”
“And when they are removed, problems often recur. For example, after temporary cameras were installed in 2024 on the pedestrian bridge between Paya Lebar Way and Aljunied Crescent in MacPherson, compliance improved. But the problem of riders speeding cross the bridge returned once the cameras were taken down. As such, how will the Government strengthen enforcement capacity? Will more permanent cameras be installed and can our network of cameras support intelligent, real-time monitoring to identify and act, whether it is through warnings or issuance of notices, on non-compliant PMA riders more promptly? I should add that this should include wilful cyclists and other mobility device users as well. In addition, requiring PMDs and PABs to meet the UL2272 and EN14194 standards has been a prudent safety measure that reduced fire risks from charging. This is a positive outcome, but more can be done to keep fires down further. Hence, I support making the possession of non-UL2272 e-scooters an offence. Keeping such a device tempts one to still use it. Moreover, if it cannot be used, then there is no reason to keep it. In conclusion, let me reiterate that at the heart of the Transport GPC along with fellow PAP MPs' interests, we want to ensure fair, inclusive and safe use of our public roads and spaces. Co-existence is key to living in a diverse and highly built-up Singapore. We need to keep spaces open for all to live, work and play, but we must also intervene to support or protect the vulnerable. Overall, this Bill strikes a sensible balance between enabling mobility and managing the risks that come with new usage patterns and technologies. I support the Bill.”
“These workers will be unable to optimise pathways and can only be “price takers” in this instance. So, in the eventual situation whereby distance-based ERP pricing is implemented, may I ask what measures will be in place to support these workers? Fourth, PMAs are increasingly important, particularly in an ageing society. Many elderly residents depend on them for mobility and well-being. But irresponsible use poses real safety risks to both the device users and others around them. Today, there are effectively no restrictions on who may use mobility scooters. I have personally seen riders moving at high speeds on pedestrian paths and instances of multiple able-bodied users on a single scooter endangering others. Just to illustrate with an example from a few years ago, I witnessed three young and able-bodied persons riding a mobility scooter along the covered walkway cutting through Circuit Road. I stopped the scooter and attempted to tell the three riders to dismount as it was dangerous. They gave me a puzzled look and then sped off. Unfortunately, I did not manage to chase them down. That was perhaps the most outrageous instance I encountered and thankfully, the only time so far. But the point is that such irresponsible use is dangerous to other pedestrians, especially when we have many frail and elderly residents using that walkway. Hence, I welcome the Bill’s measures to limit PMA speeds and to require a Certificate of Medical Need. Next, strong enforcement is critical to achieving the Bill’s objectives. Current enforcement is challenging. Officers cannot be everywhere; active mobility patrols rely heavily on volunteers and camera deployments have been piecemeal and temporary. Where cameras are present, behaviour improves.”
“Despite initial teething problems from mass OBU deployment, ERP 2.0 enables a more intelligent road use management. Real-time data collected via the OBUs can be integrated with existing systems to enable situational awareness and faster incident detection. Over time, these data can support incident and demand predictions. Removing physical ERP gantries eventually will also free up valuable land space. Hence, I support this progressive move. Second, OBUs are central to ERP 2.0, but the installation was delayed by the global chip shortage from 2021 to 2023. Although most vehicles now have OBUs, full installation is only expected to complete by 2027, at least seven-year gap from original approval to completion. Even longer, if you consider that the OBUs were based on the technology back in 2013. Given how rapidly technology evolves, how will the Government ensure that the hardware and software, including the operating system, do not become obsolete before we can achieve the smart transport management objectives? Upgrading devices is costly in manpower and money, and it places burdens on vehicle owners. So, we really do not want a situation whereby very shortly after we complete the OBU deployment in 2027, and then we have to go into another round again. Third, the use of OBUs will make distance-based ERP pricing feasible. I understand the Minister mentioned that it will not be an immediate deployment, but it is feasible. While charging by distance is fairer in principle, it also risks disproportionately affecting those who earn their living on the road, especially delivery riders and private hire drivers who often work long painful hours but also often earning just enough to make ends meet.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, land transport affects Singaporean’ daily lives and livelihoods. Today’s debate on the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill reflects this and is therefore of public importance. Our Transport Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) is giving this Bill close attention, as are many of our People’s Action Party (PAP) Parliamentary colleagues. A total of 18 PAP Members of Parliament (MPs) will speak on the new regulations on PMAs, ERP 2.0, vehicle safety and other related issues. In the course of our respective work on the ground, my PAP colleagues and I have engaged different stakeholder groups, including private hire drivers, union workers, industry representatives and, of course, our own residents. These engagements gave us precious opportunities to hear their feedback first-hand, understand their lived experiences and challenges faced and gather practical suggestions. My PAP colleagues will share more in their speeches. At the heart of our interest is the principle of ensuring fair, inclusive and safe use of our public roads and space. In a society where our people have diverse needs, co-existence is key. This means that our public infrastructure and spaces offer choices and accommodate different user groups, and that our legislations enable people yet protect the vulnerable. Overall, my fellow PAP MPs and I support the intent of the Bill and we will set out our arguments in our respective speeches. We will also be highlighting our concerns pertaining to practical implementation, costs and impact on vulnerable groups, such as low-income groups and platform workers. Here, allow me to raise a few points. Firstly, transitioning to ERP 2.0 is a step toward a smarter transport future. This is progress.”
“The Court has ruled twice that the Leader of the Opposition lied before the Committee of Privileges and guided a junior MP to continue lying in Parliament, resulting in today's Motion for debate. Our Parliament has witnessed several outstanding, responsible and respected Opposition leaders. From our founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, before the PAP formed the government, to Mr Chiam See Tong of Singapore People's Party and Mr Low Thia Kiang of WP, our Parliament has never lacked in respectable opposition figures. Therefore, after the 2020 General Election, a formal role for the Leader of the Opposition was established, since held by WP's Mr Pritam Singh. Mr Low championed honesty, transparency and accountability in his leadership of the WP, something that many have witnessed. Despite our political differences and party affiliations, Mr Low is indeed a respected political leader. Therefore, witnessing the current situation where the Leader of the Opposition has been ruled by the Court as dishonest towards Parliament and having guided his junior party member Raeesah Khan to continue covering lies in Parliament is disheartening. Today's Motion carries great significance. We must reach a conclusion and move forward as soon as possible. There are still issues regarding the livelihoods of the people and of national imperative that we must address, so we need to redirect the attention and energy of Parliament back to these crucial matters. However, to achieve this goal, ensuring that Parliament maintains a high level of credibility is paramount. Thus, as we consider the Motion before us, it is necessary for all MPs to take a stand. I hereby support the Motion.”
“Under the leadership of several generations of leaders and through the collective efforts of our people, Singapore has overcome numerous challenges, rising from a third world country to a first world nation today. As Singapore develops, the needs of our people have become increasingly diverse, and the challenges we face have grown more complex. In this context, we must ensure that our Parliament is inclusive and adaptive. While diverse voices and opinions are welcomed, there must be a shared consensus: our Parliament must uphold and demonstrate the principles of honesty, integrity, and accountability, thereby maintaining its credibility and ensuring its effective operation. This is how we defend democracy. Many of you may be familiar with the Chinese proverb, "Three men make a tiger," which originated from the "Strategies of the Warring States." In ancient times, before Pang Gong was sent to country Zhao, he told the King of Wei, "If someone in the market says there is a tiger, you won't believe it; if two people say it, you will begin to doubt; if three people say it, you will believe it." Thus, a lie that is repeated three times will become indistinguishable from the truth. Therefore, when the first lie is discovered, it must be stopped to prevent a second or even a third from occurring. Otherwise, this illusion of truth can mislead the public, which is extremely dangerous. Once a crack is formed, the hole will only grow larger. We may hold differing opinions and debate them, but this must be based on facts. Given that Parliament is the pillar of our democratic system and the significant role of the Leader of the Opposition, we now face a situation that is deeply disappointing and saddening.”
“In Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, as the saying goes, "To err is human." But there is also an adage that states, "To recognise one's mistakes and to correct them is a great virtue." Indeed, everyone makes mistakes in life. Learning from those mistakes is part of growth. Therefore, making mistakes is not to be feared; what truly matters is how we respond to and handle those mistakes. Today's Motion, unfortunately, arose because of MPs who repeatedly mishandled their error in Parliament. Parliament is a sacred hall. MPs carry the trust and mandate of the people. Here, we debate and legislate on international issues, governance policies and issues affecting the livelihoods of citizens. This is not only about the future of our nation, it directly impacts the lives of our people. Moreover, the quality of our Parliament not only reflects our democracy and governance capabilities but also embodies the values and aspirations of Singaporeans. When the international community observes our Parliament, they do not only focus on the legislative process and policy formulation; they are also assessing Singapore's performance as a modern nation in terms of our integrity and transparency. This responsibility falls not just on the Cabinet but also on all MPs. Therefore, a high-quality Parliament can enhance Singapore's image on the global stage, strengthening the trust and willingness of other countries to cooperate with us. MPs being responsible in Parliament is therefore also being responsible to Singaporeans and Singapore. We are now in the 15th Parliament.”
“Thank you to the hon Member for the clarification. I do have a question in response to that. I am not sure whether I am allowed to. Perhaps, in the thought process that Ms He had articulated, could she share some examples of what such ambiguous situations may be so that I can have a better understanding of her thought process?”
“Deputy Speaker, from "reason to suspect", it means that when the harm is first detected, that allows the agency or the authority to quickly step in and take measures to remove the harm. That is one. But to change it to "reason to believe" will mean that there must be sufficient grounds established to prove that there is indeed harm, and this process will take time. So, during this period of time, I am fearful or I am worried that this will cause the victim, who is already traumatised, to be exposed to the harm further. And this is what I meant by if we change from "reason to suspect" to "reason to believe", it may therefore extend that exposure to harm on the victim and therefore, cause more harm to the victim.”
“We may not be able to totally stem out such risks or threats at one go. We must continue to evolve our legislation and ensure there is teeth in the enforcement. Meanwhile, it is not enough to just put in place such hard measures. Social norms and education are equally important. If anyone is willing to take on a larger share of the responsibility, we can protect more people and reduce the harms or damage to individuals, so that ordinary citizens can be free to live full and meaningful lives. (In English): As technology continues to develop, new methods of cyber threats and online harms will also emerge. We may not be able to totally stamp out such risks or threats at one go, but we must continue to evolve our legislation and ensure there is teeth in our enforcement. That being said, it is also not enough to just put in place such "hard" measures. We need the whole-of-society to believe in upholding a safe online space as well. So, if we can do more, if everyone is willing to take on a larger share of the responsibility, we can protect more people and reduce the harms or damage to individuals, so that ordinary citizens can be free to live full and meaningful lives. With that, I support the Bill.”
“Allow me to speak in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Online harm, whether it is harassment, non-consensual intimate images, deepfake scams or coordinated disinformation, damages mental and physical health, economic security, public discourse, safety and public trust in digital systems. Online harm differs from physical and verbal harassment. Online harm spreads rapidly, often exponentially and frequently beyond our immediate control. Content published today can be copied, archived, indexed and repeatedly shared, leaving long-term, or even permanent, damage to victims' reputations and livelihoods. Therefore, the Internet often favours perpetrators, while being unfair to victims. Anyone can easily publish information, but victims, especially ordinary users, find it difficult to remove harmful content. The burden of proof and seeking redress often falls on those who are already traumatised. This is asymmetry of power. Therefore, both at the individual and societal levels, we must establish effective and robust mitigation mechanisms in policy, law enforcement, technology, education and civil society to address the consequences of online harm. I am therefore pleased that we will now combat online harm through stronger legislations and measures. The key points of this amendment includes: first, providing a clearer definition of online harm; second, establishing the OSC; and third, granting powers to intervene swiftly when harm is discovered. These measures can better address the problems victims frequently face, that is, speed and uncertainty. As technology continues to develop, new methods of cyber threats and online harms will also emerge. Therefore, legislation and intervention measures must also keep pace with the times.”
“Playing the devil's advocate, since the premise of this is to prevent the premature ending of the discussion of topics of public interests, possibly because of fear of political motivation, then does "fair comment" also mean that if a public figure happens to fall victim to baseless allegation, fake news or even being sexualised online, that this "fair comment" will prevent or delay protection and justice, just because the subject happens to be a public figure? Also, the Member's proposed amendments suggest, or seems to suggest, the removal of finality to appeals and to switch from "reason to suspect" to "reason to believe" – these will drag out the process and extend a victim's exposure to harm. I do not think that these are helpful to victims of online harm. Perhaps, the Ministers, in your responses, can comment and shed more light on the possible consequences of such amendments as proposed by the hon Member. Ultimately, legislation and enforcement are necessary but not sufficient. Social norms and education matter. In 2021, PAP's Women's Wing launched a campaign, #ActionForHer, to encourage Singaporeans to take action to support women. In 2022, the campaign focused on tackling online harms. There were pledges to action, and a toolkit on "Supporting Residents Facing Online Harms", just to name a few. And as part of the campaign, youth activists from my branch, MacPherson, decided to do more and organised the #ActionForHer Webinar Series to discuss topics pertinent to their peers and with a strong focus on protecting women in the virtual space. I am sure there are many other examples of positive ground-up efforts by different volunteer groups and organisations. We should certainly recognise and encourage such efforts, to encourage positive social behaviours and norms.”